NY Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger Rejects Criticism from Former Editor that Paper Has “Lost its Way”

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A.G. Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, has responded firmly to criticism from his former opinion editor, James Bennet, who recently penned an essay asserting that the renowned newspaper has “lost its way,” according to a report on Thursday on the Fox News web site. Bennet, who was forced to resign in 2020, cited concerns over liberal groupthink dominating the newsroom and questioned the direction the publication has taken in recent years.

James Bennet’s departure from The New York Times in 2020 was prompted by internal controversy surrounding an op-ed he published, authored by Senator Tom Cotton, according to the Fox News report.  The op-ed suggested deploying the military to address the riots following George Floyd’s death. The decision to run the piece sparked significant backlash, with employees and external critics arguing that it endangered Black staff members, the report on the Fox News web site said. Following the uproar, Bennet resigned, marking a contentious moment in the newspaper’s recent history.

In his essay, Bennet outlined his perspective on the events leading to his departure and expressed concern about liberal groupthink within The Times’ newsroom. A.G. Sulzberger swiftly countered these assertions, describing Bennet’s narrative as a “false narrative” in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Sulzberger defended The New York Times, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism and the challenges it faces in today’s polarized world. According to the Fox News report, Sulzberger specifically praised the newspaper’s recent reporting on global conflicts and the 2024 election cycle, citing these examples as evidence of The Times’ commitment to journalistic integrity.

The publisher highlighted the substantial growth and ambition of The Times’ opinion section since 2020, asserting a dedication to exploring a wide range of viewpoints, the report on the Fox News web site said. Sulzberger lauded the paper’s team of 2,000 journalists for breaking stories, holding the powerful accountable, and striving to provide insightful coverage on divisive issues, regardless of potential upset.

While acknowledging Bennet as a valued partner, Sulzberger revealed that their divergence stemmed from differences in how to deliver on shared values. The Fox News report said that he underscored the importance of principles and execution, emphasizing the role of effective leadership in navigating the challenges faced by a major media organization.

The decision to publish the piece written by Cotton ignited a firestorm of controversy, both internally within The New York Times operation and externally, with critics arguing that the op-ed endangered Black staff members, as was previously mentioned.

According to Bennet’s account, Sulzberger, who was relatively new in his role as publisher, initially understood the reasons behind publishing the op-ed. The report on the Fox News web site indicated that Sulzberger recognized the significance of presenting a viewpoint that had the support of the White House and a majority in the Senate. However, he offered some criticisms regarding the packaging, suggesting the inclusion of links to other op-eds with different perspectives, the Fox News report added.

Bennet recounted a conversation with Dean Baquet, the senior editor at The New York Times, in response to the growing criticism. As was reported by Fox News, Baquet expressed surprise at the notion that readers should be shielded from Cotton’s perspective, considering the senator’s influence and the potential impact of his arguments on the White House. The report added that Baquet noted that Cotton, being a possible future contender for the White House, had the backing of a significant portion of the American population.

As the controversy intensified, Sulzberger requested that Bennet call Baquet, revealing a shared bewilderment at the resistance to presenting diverse perspectives. Fox News reported that Bennet noted that the criticism had exposed a perception of The New York Times as being too “precious.” However, the unfolding events took an unexpected turn when Sulzberger, expressing icy anger, demanded Bennet’s resignation less than three days later, according to the Fox News report. Despite initial resistance, Bennet eventually agreed to resign, reflecting on his decision as a form of nobility.

Bennet concluded his recounting by describing a disorienting experience during a Zoom call with a large audience. As was indicated in the Fox News report, the aftermath of the op-ed controversy left lingering questions about journalistic independence, internal dynamics at The New York Times, and the challenges faced by editors in presenting a range of viewpoints.

Bennet’s essay delves into the internal struggles he faced during a pivotal meeting where he was expected to issue an apology, Fox News reported. He candidly stated, “I do not recommend it,” referring to the pressure of having to apologize for actions he did not perceive as apologies-worthy. The Fox News report also said that Bennet clarified that he refused to apologize for denying colleagues’ humanity or endangering lives, asserting that he had not committed such offenses.

In the absence of an apology for the op-ed’s publication, Bennet opted for a nuanced expression of regret. As was noted in the Fox News report, he apologized for the pain caused by his leadership of the Opinion section, acknowledging the tumultuous environment that had unfolded. Bennet candidly described this expression as “pathetic” but maintained the authenticity of his sentiment.

In a notable reflection, Bennet emphasized the inherent nature of opinion journalism, asserting that if it doesn’t cause some level of discomfort or pain, it fails to fulfill its journalistic purpose, according to the Fox News report. Bennet noted that opinion journalism that never causes pain cannot hope to contribute to societal progress.

Following Bennet’s remarks during the meeting, he revealed that his statements were vilified on the company’s internal Slack messaging system, as was reported by Fox News. The following morning, Bennet was instructed to resign. The extensive editor’s note appended to Cotton’s op-ed, expressing regret for its publication, went beyond what Bennet had anticipated.

Throughout the tumultuous period, Bennet expressed a hope that the controversy might provide an opportunity to either garner support for his actions or clarify the evolving rules of journalism at The New York Times, as was reported by Fox News.  However, the events unfolded differently, leading to Bennet’s resignation amid intense internal discord.

The episode highlights the delicate balance editorial leaders must navigate between journalistic principles, diverse perspectives, and the expectations of both internal and external stakeholders. As the media landscape continues to evolve, Bennet’s experience serves as a case study in the challenges faced by news organizations in maintaining journalistic integrity amidst societal polarization.